World Wildlife Fund (WWF) released the following statement from Crawford Allan, Senior Director, TRAFFIC/WWF, in response to China’s destruction of 6.1 tons of seized elephant ivory that took place on Jan. 6:

“WWF and TRAFFIC applaud the government of China in making a very public and bold statement about illegal wildlife trade by destroying its seized ivory. This is exactly the kind of leadership needed by governments. We must unite to end wildlife trafficking, strengthen enforcement, and broaden awareness about this critical conservation issue. The goal is to eliminate the demand for illegal ivory and send a clear message to the criminals driving these activities that there will be serious consequences for their actions.”

The move indicates that China is stepping up its efforts to clamp down on illegal ivory trade. Destruction of the ivory took place just weeks after eight Chinese citizens were convicted and sentenced to three to 15 years imprisonment in east China’s Anhui Province for smuggling 3.2 tons of ivory. China has the most prevalent consumer market for illegal ivory. The majority of intercepted illegal shipments of ivory from elephants poached in Africa are destined for China.

The symbolic ceremony follows the U.S. government’s destruction of its ivory stockpile this past November. Attendance at the Chinese ivory destruction event included observers from the United States government, Convention in International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the United Nations and international organizations, including WWF and TRAFFIC.